Densem's Cottage on the Lake (Ontario, CA) / May 23-24, 2016

Spent two lovely days with Scott and Asha at their vacation house on the water. Good food and friends. Met Tim and Charlotte Orser and Margaret the tatter. Two games of Scrabble with Asha and Preeti, and a game of Wizard that included Emily and Erin as well, ended a delightful day. Erin was the victor; my final score was 10.

Here's the Bennington pontoon boat in which we toured the lake. The view of the house from the lake.

Trillium--Ontario's flower were just beginning to bloom and were scattered throughout the surrounding woods.

Bracebridge, Ontario with Cousin Preeti / May 22, 2016

Highlights - Everything

Cozy home with gorgeous surroundings and views.

Afternoon canoe ride on the river that runs below her property. All we had to do was carry her canoe down the slope.

A walk to Bracebridge and Wilson's waterfalls on the Muskoka River 

With Pepper

Aunty Joy Memorial Service / Toronto, CA / May 21, 2016

Joy Jyotirmoyee Christo Juriansz / January 22, 1922 - March 1, 2016

On May 21, 2016, about a hundred family members and friends gathered to remember and honor the life of Aunty Joy, my dad's sister.

Eight first cousins were present:
Mercy's children: Asha [first from left in the front row]; Preeti [third from left in the front row]
Mae's children: Vicki [back row, third from left]; David [second from right]; Christopher [first from right]
Joy's children: Brian and Russell [first and second from left]
Gerald's daughter: Lorna [second from left in the front row]

Reconnecting with family:

Aunty Maureen and Marilyn

Vicki and Eddie

Jonathan and 

Chris with ___ and Caitlyn

Brian and Jewel

Preeti came from Chicago to spend the day with us. Here she is getting her palm read by Aunty Barbara as Raphael looks on.

Ali and Leila the day after.

My spoken tribute at the service:

Message from my dad, Aunty Joy's brother.

Apart from our childhood together, I didn't get to know Joy until she married Frank. Our young families spent time together working at Spicer College and again in North India. Frank and Joy met my wife Birol before I had, and Joy and Birol got on very well. All too suddenly we were separated by their decision to migrate to Canada. There is nothing more heart-breaking than saying good-bye to loved ones leaving by sea. The ship takes an excruciating long time to get to the horizon, and we watched until we could see it no more, believing we would never see each other again, but we did--after seven long years, and then again after another eight years when I brought Birol for a visit. By then it seemed time had lost its relevance.

Birol and I remember Joy for her loving and caring ways. We spent many happy hours with Joy and Frank in their home. She was a fabulous cook. We went on camping trips together. And on one of their trips to India, Joy's dream of staying at the Taj Mahal Hotel was fulfilled.

I admire Joy for the person of integrity and character that she was; of the compassion and forgiveness that she exhibited in her life. I admire her because of her courage in times of adversity. What more can a younger brother expect of a sister?

My hope for you is that you will be kind to one another and hold on to the hope of being reunited with our loved ones on the resurrection morning.

With love, Uncle Gerald

MY TRIBUTE

In 1955 when Aunty Joy, and the others, immigrated to Canada, I had not yet been born; however, growing up I was the recipient of many gifts. Parcels would arrive from Aunty Joy with dresses, and baby doll nighties, and once a beautiful china tea set that gave my sister and me many pleasurable hours of playing. Later as a young woman with a family of my own, the gifts from Aunty Joy continued to arrive in the form of checks at Christmastime. In 1990 when I immigrated to Alberta, Aunty Joy and Uncle Frank were the first relatives to visit, bringing us a gift of a fine cutlery set. I was 35 and met Aunty Joy for the very first time then.

It was not until 2006, when I came to live with Aunty Joy at 57 Virgilwood. that I came to know her most intimately. Aunty Joy was a widow of a few months, and I as a result of unanticipated circumstances was alone as well. We were both lonely with aching hearts.

It was during this period that I was the beneficiary of her best gifts. She gave me the gift of caring—in the form of hot cooked meals that we shared together every evening after my long work day had ended. She gave me the gift of companionship—including me in her daily activities, whether it was folding laundry, cooking together for family events, or helping her choose a new outfit for her upcoming cruise with Aunty Christobal. She gave me the gift of trust—sharing with me personal thoughts and feelings. But most important to me was her gift of unconditional love.

At this time I invite you to watch a video with a brief message from my dad – and words from Aunty Joy recorded on her 90^th birthday. Let's listen to what she has to say.

Click here to view the video: 

Fort Defiance, Arizona With Gina

May 6-9, 2016

Friday, I took the two-hour train ride on Amtrak from Albuquerque to Gallup where Gina met me. We had dinner at Applebees, then made the 45 minute drive to her place in Fort Defiance. Her house, including others are in the amidst an old settlement on a canyon floor.

This area has been inhabited by the Navajo Tribe for centuries, except for four years (1864-1868) when they were forced by the US Government to relocate. The historical 300 mile "Long walk" had its starting point here. The relocation proved to be unsuccessful and the Navajo were allowed to return to their lands.

I took early morning walks in the canyon. Photographed a few of the many old buildings now vacant and falling apart. The rez dogs unnerved me a little. The dogs roam free. have loud snarly barks and sneaked up behind me. Sort of like the stray dogs of Maranatha Colony.

It was at least 20 degrees cooler than Albuquerque and just barely spring. Saturday morning, on the way to Gallup, we stopped at Window Rock, the capital of the Navajo Nation, to take pictures of the "window."  In Gallup, Gina did a few errands. We had a thin crust pizza at the Silver Stallion and bought organic healthy bread to take back. We made stops at the public library and watched the Kentucky Derby race.

On the way home we visited a co-worker Tatiana, her husband Sergei, and their 3-month old mutt Oscar. The puppy was kidnapped from a rez dog that had five pups. The house they live in, and which belongs to the tribe, is a beautiful old stone and timber house with flag stones in the backyard that mark significant events of the tribe's history. Made me think of Hampi where day to day life is conducted among ancient historic landmarks.

On Mother's Day we had puris and potato, and a chocolate dessert that I had made and carried to FD. In the afternoon we dug up the hard ground in the backyard for a garden plot.

I returned by train Monday morning. All in all a lovely time.

Thomases Celebrate 50 - Continued

Here are a scattering of pictures that as an amateur photographer I cringe to make public, but I also realize that sometimes you have to let go and enjoy them for what they are. So enjoy.

The handsome Kelton Turner consenting to pose with me.

I must be laughing at one of Don Singh's corny jokes.

The poised and graceful Kelsey.

A moment of tenderness as Merlin and Ranjith croon, "I bless the day I found you."

Gorgeous Lisa and Lynne.

My favorite was the appetizers -- samosas, phoolgobi and mirchi pakoras.

The main meal was superbly prepared. Raphael vouches the same for the chicken dishes.

Uncle's niece Vatsala (nee Edwards). Once SMC freshmen together.

Katie (Merlin's wife) and daughters.

The one you may not recognize right away is dear friend Manusha.

Noelle, directing the event set up.

My haircut looks pretty good from the side as well.

Leela, still sweet as ever, and her talented Ranjith who performed an original composition during the evening.

Helen Edwards and me. Bhasker, her husband and Uncle's nephew, showed me pictures of dad and mum he had on his phone.

Dan, forever the charmer, and Elaine Skoretz. Friends from CUC days.

Don and Lisa in their own world.

Trevin and Jayden piecing together parts of $5 bills from Raphael.

Don and Lynne's kids seated on the right side.

Kiana practices her braiding.

Anusha, thanks for the best smile of the evening.

Uncle's grandniece Elizabeth, with Martha.

Uncle's nephew (son of Rani) and fiance.

Leela with Uncle's nephew (Rani's son) and niece Priya

Terrill and Fern's families perform an original composition by Kevin.

With the first lady of the evening.

Uncle's art on sanddollar shells was raffled at each table. I got lucky.

The printed program. Couldn't figure out how to rotate this picture.

And now the next half century. . .